The trip, hosted by UK-government funded private sector development initiative Invest Salone, will see a group of specialist UK, European and US tour operators experience first-hand the country’s environmental and cultural heritage.
The week-long trip has been organised in collaboration with local destination management companies Visit Sierra Leone (VSL) and Tourism is Life.
Participating tour operators include UK-based Native Eye, Naturetrek, Reef and Rainforest Tours and Large Minority, as well as Germany-based Ivory Tours.
The trip itinerary includes the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Tiwai Island, Banana Island and Rogbonko Village Retreat. The visit will conclude with a tourism seminar on the 19 November.
Avril Pratt, consultant with Invest Salone, said the familiarisation visit is intended to help tour operators and agents "appreciate Sierra Leone’s exceptional qualities" and encourage them to promote the destination to their clients.
"We are delighted to host the first familiarisation visit to Sierra Leone in five years and look forward to showcasing all that Sierra Leone has to offer," Pratt added.
